What Is Over/Under in Betting? Complete Guide to Over/Under Betting Explained

What are Over/Unders or Total Bets?

Over/under bets, also called totals bets, focus on the combined score of both teams in a game, as opposed to whether a particular team wins or not. Oddsmakers set a pre-determined number (called the total, or total line) before games start, and bettors place wagers that predict whether the final score goes over or under that particular number.

If the combined final score is higher than the posted total, the over wins; and if it’s lower than the posted total, the under wins.

These bets are popular with new sports bettors because they’re uncomplicated, work across nearly every sport, and allow fans to bet on games without having to worry about which team wins.

How Over/Under Bets Differ from Moneylines and Spreads

The primary difference between over/under bets and other wagers is that over/unders only care about the total combined score of both teams. A moneyline predicts which team will win, while spreads involve predicting how many points a particular team will win by.

The winning team doesn’t matter in over/unders, nor does the amount they win by; only the total number of points both teams score is important.

How Does Over/Under Betting Work?

Over/under bets begin with the sportsbook’s oddsmakers establishing a total number of points they think will be scored in a particular game.

For example: an NFL game between the Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys has a posted total of 46.5. All you have to do is bet on whether the combined score by both teams is over 46.5, or under 46.5.

The line’s half point prevents pushes, or ties, since sports teams can’t score half points. This ensures the final score always falls over or under the line; and never directly on it.

Each over/under bet has odds attached to it to determine the winnings from successfully placing the bet. This line is presented as a +/- figure; -110 for example, which means you’d need to bet $110 to win $100.

It’s also worth mentioning that totals are available for smaller segments of games too, including halves, quarters, and periods. There are over/unders for both team and individual player performances as well, like number of points scored, number of penalties taken, and number of timeouts used in a game.

How to Read a Totals Line

A typical over/under totals line looks like this:

Over/Under 46.5 (-110)

46.5 represents the line, or projected total score as set by the sportsbook.
-110 represents the wager’s betting odds

If the final combined score is 47 or more, over bets would win $100 for every $110 wagered. If the score is 46 or lower, the under bets would lose. The .5 in the line guarantees a clear outcome since you can’t bet on 46.5; if you were to bet on 46 you’d still be taking the under.

How Sportsbooks Set Over/Under Lines

Oddsmakers use a variety of factors to set over/under lines, including the following:

someone sportsbetting on phone and computer

Weather
Open vs. closed (domed) stadiums
Each team’s offensive and defensive efficiency
Starting pitchers and goalies
Player availability like injuries, suspensions, and scratches
Fatigue due to travel or other scheduling factors, like back-to-backs

Please note that oddsmakers can also change the line based on how bettors react to it. If the majority of placed bets take the over, for example, the sportsbook may raise the total line to balance out the action.

This process is called market shaping and helps sportsbooks mitigate the risk of offering over/under bets.

Over/Under Bet Examples

The best way to explain over/under betting is to look at some examples across specific sports. Each example has a sample totals bet, how the bet is graded, and what determines a win or a loss.

NFL Over/Under Bet Example

An NFL game’s over/under is set at 46.5. If the final score is 27-24 (for a total of 51), the over bettors would win. If the final score is 23-20 (for a total of 43), however, the under bettors would win.

NFL totals are typically set in the low 40s to high 50s.

NBA Over/Under Bet Example

An NBA game’s over/under is set at 226.5. If the final score is 118-110 (for a total of 228), the over bettors would win. If the final score is 115-110 (for a total of 125), the under bettors would win.

NBA totals are set high, usually between 215 and 240 points. This is because total scores have skyrocketed in recent years, thanks largely to the dramatic increase in attempted three pointers.

College Football Over/Under Bet Example

An NCAAF game’s over/under is set at 63.5. If the final score is 38-35 (for a total of 73), the over bettors would win. If the final score is 20-10 (for a total of 30), the under bettors would win.

Total lines in college football can greatly vary, anywhere from the low 40s to more than 80 points per game. This is due to factors that include disparity between higher and lower ranked teams, talent gaps, weather conditions, and more.

College Basketball Over/Under Bet Example

An NCAAB game’s over/under is set at 144.5. If the final score is 77-68 (for a total of 145), the over bettors would win. If the final score is 72-68 (for a total of 140), the under bettors would win.

College basketball totals are generally in the 130–150 points range, as it is often a lower scoring version of the game than the NBA.

MLB Over/Under Bet Example

An MLB game’s over/under is set at 8.5. If the final score is 5-3 (for a total of 8), the over bettors would win. If the final score is 3-1 (for a total of 4), the under bettors would win.

Baseball totals are often around 7–9 runs, though pitching matchups, bullpen strengths, hitting averages, and ballpark size can heavily influence total lines as well.

NHL Over/Under Bet Example

An NHL game’s over/under is set at 6.5. If the final score is 4-3 (for a total of 7), the over bettors would win. If the final score is 1-0 (for a total of 1), the under bettors would win.

Most hockey totals are set at 6 or 6.5, since the majority of games are expected to feature between five and six combined goals.

Soccer Over/Under Bet Example

A soccer match’s over/under is set at 2.5. If the final score is 2-1 (for a total of 3), the over bettors would win. If the final score is a 1-1 draw (for a total of 2), the under bettors would win.

Soccer totals are often set at 2.5 to reflect the sport’s low-scoring nature. This can vary depending on the league and/or teams involved, as it’s common to see totals like 1.5, 3.5, or 4.5 for high scoring leagues like the MLS, for instance.

Sport Specific Considerations

Over/under bets are one of the most popular bets around, no matter what sport it is. There are many things to consider before placing total bets, however, such as weather, matchups, starting rosters and more.

Here are some things to think about before placing over/under bets in some of the most popular sports to wager on.

NFL

The biggest factors to consider when placing NFL over/under bets include team pace, injuries, offensive/defensive efficiency, and weather when the home stadium doesn’t have a roof; outdoor games with poor weather tend to have lower totals, while domed stadiums are unaffected by weather.

NBA

You’ll want to think about team pace, offensive/defensive efficiency, injuries, and player rest days when placing NBA totals bets. If a team is on the second half of a back-to-back it might be more tired than the other team too, which could affect how much it scores/allows during a game.

College Football

College football over/unders are subject to weather considerations, just like in the NFL. Bad weather in open stadiums could mean lower scoring games. There’s also a lot of variance between talent in the NCAAF, and higher ranked teams could potentially score a lot of points against lower ranked ones.

College Basketball

Some things to consider when placing NCAAB totals bets include pace of play, offensive/defensive efficiency, and each team’s free-throw rate. Late game fouls could help push the score over the total line with teams that have high free throw shooting percentages.

MLB

Baseball over/unders have a lot of things to consider. Starting pitching matchups, bullpen strength, and open vs. closed ballparks and pitcher-friendly vs. hitter friendly parks are some the biggest factors to pay attention to when betting on totals. Weather also plays a role, as wind and temperature can significantly affect how well the ball travels through the air.

NHL

Since the starting goalie of each team can have a big impact on the total number of goals scored in the NHL, it’s a good idea to confirm whether the starting or backup goalie is playing before placing your bets. You’ll also want to think about fatigue from back-to-backs and travel. Each team’s penalty rate is also worth considering, as well as power play vs. penalty kill percentage.

Soccer

Scoring is limited in most soccer games, so you’ll want to think about aspects like defensive tactics, players with yellow/red cards, available substitutes, and level of competition before placing over/under bets.

Team Totals and Player Props

Team totals and player prop betting markets also feature over/under options. You can bet on things like total offensive yards, free throws made, penalties taken, and many other stat-based outcomes.

Tips & Strategies for Over/Under Betting

While there are no guaranteed strategies involving how to win over/under bets (or any other bets), the following tips can help you make more informed wagers; and potentially win more money as a result.

Key Factors to Consider Before Betting

Before you place an over/under bet it’s a good idea to consider factors that include:

Lineups, including head-to-head matchups, injuries, and scratches
Team fatigue due to travel, back-to-backs, tight scheduling, etc.
Offensive/defensive efficiency
Weather forecasts and open vs. closed stadiums
Referee/umpire call statistics

Lineups can make a significant impact on the over/under. If a football team is starting their third-string quarterback, or if a hockey team had to call up a goalie from the minors due to injury, there’s a good chance the scoring will be affected. Some starting pitchers are known for shutting hitters down too, so keep an eye out for when shut-down starters are playing and bet accordingly.

You’ll also want to consider how both teams are offensively and defensively. If a team with a powerful offensive is playing against a team with shaky defense, you may want to look at taking the over.

Teams might be fatigued and worn down in sports like basketball and hockey. These teams play back-to-back games on consecutive nights throughout the season, and could be particularly tired when they had to travel between games as well. This can affect both offensive and defensive output.

Rainy weather tends to affect football game scoring when the game is played outdoors, as the ball becomes much harder to throw and catch. If the game is played in a stadium with a dome or a roof, however, this is a moot point.

Tips for Betting the Over

Over bets may be preferable if both teams have high offensive outputs, healthy players, and if the game is played indoors/on a day when the weather is nice. Hitter friendly baseball parks can also be favorable towards over bets.

Tips for Betting the Under

You may want to go with the under if both teams are strong defensively, slower paced, or missing key scorers due to injury. Bad weather also tends to favor under bets when games are played outdoors. Pitcher friendly baseball parks often favor under bets as well.

Bankroll Management for Totals

It’s always a good idea to stick to a pre-determined gambling budget, and over/under betting is no exception. Only bet 5–10% of your total budget with each wager too, as doing so can help you recover from losses and protect you from going broke during cold streaks.

Another important thing to remember is to never chase losses. If you don’t win, just walk away.

Line Shopping & Finding the Best Number

Since there are a variety of online sportsbooks available, it’s a good idea to shop around for lines before placing a bet. If two sportsbooks have the over/under you want to place at -110 and -130, respectively, you’ll want to take the one with -110, as doing so would win you an additional $20 on a $100 bet.

Understanding Line Movement 

Influxes of bets can push betting lines up or down. If the overwhelming majority of bets placed on an over/under are overs, the oddsmakers are likely to increase the total line, and adjust the betting odds accordingly too. That’s why if you feel confident about a particular bet it’s important to get it in early, so you don’t end up winning less money for making the same bet.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Some players chase the over because the higher scoring makes the bet more exciting. While higher scoring games are indeed often exciting, that doesn’t mean it’s a good betting strategy.

Don’t ignore factors like lineup changes and weather either, and don’t assume that just because the last time the teams played there was a high/low score that the result is destined to repeat itself.

Over/Under Bet Payouts

Understanding how payouts work with over/under bets is a critical part of not only making money, but verifying your wins as well. The betting odds are usually presented in one of the following three ways:

American odds: -110
Decimal odds: 1.91
Fractional odds: 10/11

All three wagers would win $100 on a $110 bet, and it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with all three formats. You can also change the odds format to the one you’re most comfortable with on most sportsbook websites towards the bottom or top of the page.

The sportsbook’s vigorish, often called vig, is normally built into these odds as well. The vig is the fee that the sportsbook charges for taking bets, and ensures that they always make at least some money on every wager they accept.

It’s also important to understand how over/under payouts work so that you can verify that the sportsbook paid you the correct amount of winnings; and if they didn’t you can get ahold of them through customer support to resolve the issue.

Understanding Over/Under Odds and Vig

In American odds a successful $100 bet at -100 odds would win you $100. Sportsbooks generally set odds at numbers like -110 or -120, so you’d have to bet $110 or $120, respectively, to win the same $100. Rather than charging an extra fee for winning a bet, oddsmakers place this fee directly into the offered odds.

If the bet loses, the sportsbook collects all of your wager; and if it wins, they’ll pay you your winnings but still keep a part of it to ensure that the sportsbook always comes out ahead in the long run.

For example: If you successfully place a $100 bet at -110 you’d win $90.91, and if you also lost a $100 bet at -110 you’d lose $100. Despite winning one $100 bet and losing one $100 bet you’d come out with $90.91; not $100.

Payout Calculation Examples

Bet	Odds	Win	Total Payout (original bet + win)
$100	-110	$90.91	$190.91
$100	+110	$110	$210
$100	-300	$33.33	$133.33
$100	+300	$300	$400
$100	-500	$20	$120
$100	+500	$500	$600

Let’s say you place a $100 under bet with -110 odds. If you won that bet you’d win $90.91, plus your initial $100 back for a total payout of $190.91.

A successful $100 over bet with +110 odds would win you $110, plus your original $100 for a total payout of $220.

And if you successfully bet $100 on a heavy favorite with -500 odds you’d win $20 for $120 total: and successfully betting $100 on a -500 would win you a total payout of $600.

Over/Under Betting Rules and House Policies

Every reputable sportsbook has a terms and conditions page that lists all conditions that must be adhered to while betting on the site. It’s a good idea to read the page, paying special attention to factors like settlements, pushes, and postponed games.

Doing so will help you understand how these things work before placing bets, and help you settle potential disputes in the future as well.

Pushes and Voided Bets

If a total lands exactly a on a number, it’s considered a push; like if the final score of a game is 24-22 (for a total of 46) on a 46 totals line. When a push occurs the bettor’s wager is normally returned to them in full.

That is why over/under totals are set at numbers like 46.5. The half point is added to ensure that a push doesn’t happen, since even if the total score is 46, it would still fall under the 46.5 total line. This guarantees that every over/under bet has a clear winner and a clear loser.

The house policy also describes what happens in the event of shortened or postponed games. The majority of sportsbooks return wagers when a game is shortened due to unforeseen circumstances, though some may have policies in place that determine a game to be completed once a percentage of it has been played.

How Overtime Affects Over/Under Bets

NFL

Overtime scores count towards the total, and a single OT score can push the game from the under to the over.

NBA

Overtime scores in the NBA count towards the over/under.

College Football

Both teams get a chance to score in college football overtimes, which frequently pushes the score above the over line.

College Basketball

Overtime scoring in college basketball counts towards the over/under.

MLB

Extra inning scoring counts towards the over/under.

NHL

Overtime and shootout goals in hockey count towards the total line.

Soccer

Unlike most sports, goals scored in stoppage time/penalty kicks don’t count towards total lines.

Frequently Asked Questions About Over/Under Betting

How Does the Vig (Juice) Affect Over/Under Bets?

The vig affects the break-even rate on over/under bets, and is built into most bets at around -110. Because of this, even when you win even money bets your payout will be slightly less than your wager.

Why Do Sportsbooks Use Half Points in Totals?

Sportsbooks use half points in totals bets to avoid pushes. A 46 point total is given a half point so that it becomes 46.5, for example. The half point guarantees there’s a clear winner and loser on every bet.

Can You Bet Over/Under on Individual Teams or Players?

Yes you can. You can bet on team totals like if one team scores over 24.5 points, or you can place player totals on prop bets like if a player has less than a certain number of penalties.

Is It Better to Bet the Over or the Under?

Neither the over nor the under is automatically better by default. The best choice at the time is determined on a game-by-game basis and depends on factors like each team’s lineup and weather conditions.